Risks | Stomach reduction

Risks

All procedures for stomach reduction are invasive procedures that, like any other operation, carry numerous risks. Bleeding, bruising and infection can occur. Pain and sensory disturbances in the area of the operation (due to the cutting of fine nerves in the skin) can also occur.

Since these patients are very overweight and often suffer from concomitant diseases such as diabetes mellitus and high blood pressure, surgical interventions are generally more risky than in healthy patients and require special attention. Even after surgery, complications such as wound healing disorders are more common in such patients. Furthermore, overweight patients have an increased risk of thrombosis or embolism.

• After every operation, even after a stomach reduction, the formation of blood clots (thrombosis) or even the carry-over of blood clots (embolism) can occur. If such a blood clot gets into the lung (pulmonary embolism), there is even danger to life. The formation of blood clots is therefore prevented after every operation by the administration of heparin injections, a drug used to thin the blood.
• All procedures of stomach reduction, with the exception of the gastric balloon, are performed under general anesthesia, which can also cause complications.

  Although these complications rarely occur nowadays due to high medical standards and new medications, they must always be taken into consideration, especially in high-risk patients such as overweight people. The drugs used in general anesthesia can cause disturbances in the cardiovascular system, for example, cardiac arrhythmia or a drop in blood pressure. These drugs also lower the protective reflexes, which in rare cases can cause stomach contents to enter the lungs (aspiration).

  If stomach contents get into the lungs, there is always the risk of developing pneumonia. For this reason, the intake of food is prohibited on the day before the operation.

• During general anesthesia the patient is ventilated. Ventilation is usually provided by means of a plastic tube that is inserted into the trachea.

  This tube can irritate the windpipe and lead to unpleasant hoarseness and coughing after the operation. The insertion of the tube can also damage the incisors.

• Complications frequently observed after surgery, especially in women, are nausea and vomiting.
• A special complication that can occur after surgical procedures for stomach reduction is gastric obstruction. Gastric obstruction occurs especially when too large pieces of food are ingested after the operation.